WESTERN DISTRICT.

Otago Witness, Issue 1155, 17 January 1874, Page 12

WESTERN DISTRICT.

A meeting of the Western District Farmers' Club was held at Gummy's Bush on the 2nd. Mr James Mackintosh, President, occupied the chair. The following resolutions were unanimously agreed to, viz. : — 1. " That stepß be taken to have the conveyance of the meeting-house property effected." 2. "That Messrs T. Daniel and J. Cumming apply to His Honour the Superintendent for power to occupy and improve the land in Riverton whioh was granted to the Association for show pur3. " That the Government be requested to cause the Thistle Ordinance to be put in force." „ .. „ 4. " That taking into consideration the amount of harvesting to be done in the district, and that all the hands available are totally inadequate for the work, this meeting is of opinion that the Government should give one month's extension of time to all Government contractors, in order to enable them to let their men go to harvesting." While this last motion was under consideration, Mr T. Daniel laid before the meeting a. letter from, the Immigratioa

Officer, which was to the effect that" he had been empowered to send some 20 to 30 immigrants to Riverton if he could induce them to go, and asking if they were likely to fee engaged immediately on their arrival, as there was no place for their accommodation. The expressed opinion was the number who would find employment need not be reckoned by tens but by hundreds, and that the high rate of wages which ruled here ought to be sufficient inducement for them to come. The weather is too dry for us, and there are too many high winds. The crops are just coming into ear, and to all appearance they will be short, and the straw is altogether too fine for us to expect anything like a good yield. If we get damp, mild weather to fill it now, the yield may be fair ; but if the same sort of weather which we have had continues, the yield must be very poor. The idea years ago was that a tarpaulin should be got for .Southland. It really seems as if it had been got, for when we hear of wet weather all over the country, and Southland, famed for rain, getting none, it causes us to be astonished. Mr B9ws is proceeding actively with the survey of our railway. The Otautau line he has finished, and is now at the cross line to join us with all New Zealand. We have been left outside for a long time, the same as if we had not been part of New Zealand, not to say Otago ; but we are soon to have the means of conveying people here bo see what we and our district are like. Road making is being prosecuted with great vigour with ua. The settlers have turned out in great numbers to the carting of gravel, doing themselves a double benefit — earning money and making roads for themselves. The dry weather has been favourable for the work, but not for the district. The time for holidays is past, but really the people here are so busy that they cannot get them kept. We will try and keep holiday when the Governor comes.